The reality and risks of cyber security

Professor Dame Wendy Hall on the Agenda show on German international broadcast channel Deutsche Welle, arguing for the need for a human rights charter relating to the Internet, detailing individuals’ and organisations’ rights and responsibilities. Other guests on the show include Vice-President of the European Commmission, Neelie Kroes, CEO of the Big data company Datameer, Stefan Groschupf and CEO of the securities company Giesecke & Devrient, Dr. Walter Schlebusch.

http://www.dw.de/agenda-agenda-special-from-cebit-global-conferences-2014-03-11/e-17444433-9798

Nigel Shadbolt and Wendy Hall named in Science Council’s list of 100 leading UK practising scientists

The list was compiled by the U.K. Science Council, an umbrella organisation of scientific societies and professional bodies, including the British Computer Society, the Institute of Science and Technology, the Institute of Physics and the Royal Astronomical Society.

Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt was recognised for his research on Open Data, Artificial Intelligence and Web Science and also for his previous role as President of the British Computer Society.

Professor Dame Wendy Hall was recognised for her research in Multimedia and the Semantic Web and also for her previous role as President of the British Computer Society and her membership of the U.K. Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology.

Seme4 partners named in list of top 50 most influential people in U.K. I.T.

The list for Computer Weekly magazine was decided by both an expert judging panel and a reader vote.

Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt was placed at number 11 and is named in the list because of his role as chairman and co-founder of the Open Data Institute (ODI), his role as advisor to the U.K. government on public access to government information and his being a member of the Public Sector Transparency Board.

Professor Dame Wendy Hall was placed at number 25 and is named in the list for her academic reputation and for being a founding co-director of the Web Science Trust.

Wendy Hall appointed to Royal Society Council

Professor Dame Wendy Hall took up office on the Council along with 21 other Fellows on the 30th of November.

The Council is elected by the Royal Society Fellowship on an annual basis. It manages the Society’s business, makes Standing Orders which regulate the Society’s affairs and and acts as trustee of the Society under charity legislation. Council members serve on a voluntary basis.

Other members include Professor Anthony Cheetham, Sir John Beddington, Professor Geoffrey Boulton, Professor Roger Owen and Dame Nancy Rothwell.

Nigel Shadbolt and Wendy Hall to lead new Web Science Institute

The Web Science Institute (WSI) was launched on the 11th of November and will be based at the University of Southampton. It will be multidisciplinary, with academic staff from the humanities, social sciences, business and law acting as directors.

The WSI has a number of aims, including:

• focusing on interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships;

• demonstrating clear ambition, adaptability and innovation;

• leveraging the visionary leadership and outstanding staff and student expertise across the University;

• providing a platform for significant investment by government and external partners;

• showcasing unique and creative education programmes that set new standards internationally.

Professor Dame Wendy Hall said: “There is a ‘perfect storm’ brewing which combines open data, open education and open research, so this is a very exciting time to be launching the Web Science Institute.”

Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt said: “The open data movement is one example of how the web is evolving, empowering individuals and communities to achieve phenomenal ends. The Web Science Institute will help us to understand this evolution.”

The launch of the institute was covered by the BBC.

Wendy Hall appointed to Connected Digital Economy Catapult board

In her new role as non-executive director of the board Professor Dame Wendy Hall will be advising on the ways in which technology can help to improve the economy and on how to encourage entrepreneurship.

A Catapult is a centre in which businesses, scientists and engineers work together on research and development. The Connected Digital Economy Catapult board is part of the Catapult Programme which was set up by the Technology Strategy Board, a government agency which provides support and funding to help businesses develop new products and services.